3 syllables: Ya, zi, di. Stress on Ya.
YAZ-id-ee
/ˈjæzɪdi/
Yazidi is pronounced YAZ-id-ee (/ˈjæzɪdi/). It has three syllables (Ya-zi-di), with the stress on "Ya". Yazidi is a noun referring to a member of the Yazidi faith, a minority ethno-religious group primarily in northern Iraq. The term denotes identity, culture, and religious tradition, including unique beliefs and practices. When you mention a Yazidi, you’re referring to a person who follows Yazidism, a religion with ancient Mesopotamian and Near Eastern influences.
nounYazidi is a noun referring to a member of the Yazidi faith, a minority ethno-religious group primarily in northern Iraq. The term denotes identity, culture, and religious tradition, including unique beliefs and practices. When you mention a Yazidi, you’re referring to a person who follows Yazidism, a religion with ancient Mesopotamian and Near Eastern influences.
How to Pronounce Yazidi
"A Yazidi woman spoke about her community's customs at the cultural festival."
"Researchers conducted interviews with Yazidi survivors to document the historical persecution they faced."
"The Yazidi diaspora has established schools and cultural centers across Europe and North America."
Pronounce as /ˈjɑːzɪdi/ (US) or /ˈjæzɪdi/ (UK/AU). Stress on the first syllable: YAH-zee-dee (American: /ˈjɑːzɪdi/; British/Australian: /ˈjæzɪdi/). Start with a clear Y sound, then a short a as in father, followed by z- and a light -i-dee ending. Audio reference: you can listen to the syllables in language dictionaries or pronunciation platforms for confirmation. IPA helps you lock in the two distinct vowels in the first two syllables and the final unstressed -dee.”,
Common errors include softening or merging the first syllable vowel (rendering it as /ˈjɪzi/ or /ˈjæzi/), and misplacing stress on the second syllable. Another frequent mistake is pronouncing the final -di as a full stressed syllable rather than a light, unstressed -di. Correct these by keeping the first syllable long and stressed (/ˈjɔː/ or /ˈjæ/), ensuring a crisp /z/ consonant, and finishing with a quick, unstressed /di/.
In US English, you’ll often hear /ˈjæzɪdi/ or /ˈjɑːzɪdi/ with a rhotic rless feel and a slightly longer first vowel. UK/AU accents typically favor /ˈjæzɪdi/ with a clipped, non-rhotic pronunciation and a shorter first vowel. The main distinction is vowel quality (trap vs. bath vowels) and the treatment of the first vowel: US tends to a broader /æ/ or /ɑː/, while UK/AU retain /æ/ or a short /a/. The final -di is generally unstressed in all, but vowel length can vary slightly.”,
Two main challenges: the initial consonant cluster /j/ followed by a stressed syllable and the short /ɪ/ in the middle syllable can be tricky for speakers whose languages don’t have similar vowel contrasts. The final -di reduces to a light, unstressed ending, which many learners over-pronounce. Also, English speakers may misplace the primary stress, either on the first or second syllable, leading to a less natural cadence.”,
The word combines a clear /z/ in the middle, a front unrounded vowel in the first syllable, and a light, unstressed -di ending, which can lead to vowel merging or over-articulation. Practice by isolating each syllable: /ˈjæ.zɪ.di/; then connect them with a gentle, even rhythm. Paying attention to the precise IPA for each variant helps avoid common pitfalls like turning /z/ into /s/ or over-enunciating the final vowel.
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Yazidi derives from the Yazidi faith, which is traditionally traced to ancient Mesopotamian religious practices fused with Kurdish and Semitic influences. The term Yazidi likely emerged from the name of the religion’s central figure Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel, and from Kurdish linguistic roots where the community is known as Zeyadiyah or Ezidî. The modern ethnonym Yazidi crystallized in the 18th–19th centuries as scholars and officials sought to distinguish this group from neighboring Muslim and Christian populations. The word first appears in English-language sources in the 19th century, often transliterated as “Yezidi” or “Yazedi,” with standardization evolving due to colonial-era ethnographic work and later academic publications. The pronunciation shifted comparatively with regional dialects, but the core meaning — a member of the Yazidi faith — remained stable. Throughout history, Yazidis have preserved a distinct liturgy, oral legends, and social structures, contributing to a resilient communal identity despite persecution and diaspora.
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Words that rhyme with "Yazidi"
-zzy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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